Developers behind Taunton’s largest housing project, Orchard Grove, have confirmed there are no plans to install street lighting along a key pedestrian route known as Lipe Hill Lane. This pathway, which connects parts of the development to Egremont Road and beyond, remains unlit despite being an important route for pedestrians and cyclists.
Orchard Grove is a major development that will ultimately feature 2,000 homes between the A38 Wellington Road and Honiton Road. The site will also include commercial units, a primary school, a care home, and a park-and-ride facility.
Lipe Hill Lane was recently closed to vehicular traffic ahead of the primary school’s opening, turning it into a pedestrian and cyclist-only link. However, residents like Jo Taswell, who uses the path daily for her commute to Musgrove Park Hospital, have expressed safety concerns about the lack of lighting, especially during the dark winter months.
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In response, the Orchard Grove consortium, made up of Taylor Wimpey, Bovis Homes, Linden Homes, and LiveWest, explained that there are no current plans to illuminate Lipe Hill Lane. The primary reason for this decision is the ecological sensitivity of the area. The lane is home to protected species such as dormice and bats, which are vulnerable to artificial lighting.
Instead, the developers assure that alternative, well-lit pedestrian and cycling routes will be delivered as construction progresses. One such route is under development along the eastern edge of the community and is expected to be fully lit by the end of the year. A second lit path is planned through Hortsbridge Park, although further design work is needed before construction can begin.
Local resident Judy Stainthorpe noted that lighting on Lipe Hill Lane itself is unlikely, but the forthcoming routes will provide lit alternatives for residents’ safety and convenience.
Somerset Council confirmed that during the original planning approval, the absence of lighting along Lipe Hill Lane was specifically considered and ultimately permitted to protect local wildlife. The council pointed out that basic lighting is present at key intersections, and commuters still have access to a lit bus gate junction nearby.
With sustainable travel and pedestrian safety as core principles, Orchard Grove’s design strategically prioritizes routes that are safe, accessible, and environmentally sensitive. While some residents remain concerned about the current lack of lighting along Lipe Hill Lane, longer-term plans for illuminated pathways aim to balance community needs with ecological preservation.